Very Specialist Cargo

We like to keep you up to date with the more specialist Jobs we carry out at Advance. Here is an example of the Advance team from both Packing
and Forwarding demonstrating Flat Rack Container loading and shipping.

This was a shipment of very delicate laser cutting equipment bound for the states that required specialist packing and freight forwarding services.

Container Shipping Changes

Please be advised of the following announcement:

Effective July 1, 2016, any shipping container leaving from any port in the world must be accompanied by a shipping document signed either
electronically or in hard copy by the shipper on the bill of lading.....

Comings and Goings

After 7 years of excellent service we have said goodbye to Lorraine Dowell who has wandered off with her Camera into retirement.
We wish her well and thank her for her loyalty and commitment during her time at advance.

To help us out we have had two new starters join us Cat Franks and Nicola Timmins.....

Freight Forwarding Operations VACANCY

Web Based Solutions for Clients Coming Soon

Over the course of the last 12 months it's been quite apparent that we've had a big focus on developing our IT systems in order to cope with greater
volumes of traffic and maintain the high level of service our clients have come to expect.

With the fundamental stages of implementation complete, our next challenge is to develop the web based solutions for clients, something we feel is
paramount for the future growth of the business.

Advance Forwarding attend M-ITEC for a 3rd year

Following the huge success of last year's Midland International Trade Expo and Conference, we were delighted to be given the opportunity of
exhibiting again.

The event, held at the Pedigree suite, Ipro Stadium, Derby on 13th October brought together industry experts and keynote
speakers from a number of high-profile Midland based companies with well-established international trade connections. The annual event,
organised by the Chamber and heavily supported by UKTI is targeted at Midland based companies looking to take the next steps for growth by
developing and expanding business opportunities overseas.

Advance Supports Investment and Exports to Rwanda

Advance Sales Director, Katie Skipper was delighted to attend the 'Invest in Rwanda' dinner organised to the East Midlands Chamber of Commerce at
Colwick Hall, Nottingham on Tuesday 26th May.

The prestigious event was hosted by His Excellency William Nkurunziz, Rwanda High Commissioner to UK and George Cowcher, Director and Chief
Executive of the Chamber to promote attractive investment and export opportunities in Rwanda.

Advance Support The Street Children of Jakarta Charity

The Advance Group has chosen to support this charity this year after our Sales Director Steve Hodson and his wife Jayne Hodson (pictured
standing one from the left) visited Jakarta earlier this year.

Steve and Jayne have already had a hand in arranging a charity evening at Willesley Park Golf Club on Saturday the 2nd of May 2015 in
which 100 people were entertained by Mr Piano man Brett Cave where an incredible £1225.00 was raised.

Advance Group IT Systems Update

We are well on the way to completing the migration to our new specialist Freight Forwarding IT Software.

We began to go live in February of this year with our first departments making the switch and we want to make sure our customers and
partners are kept well up to date. Here is an update from both companies in the Advance Group...

IT System Upgrade Progressing Well

In 2014 we notified clients of our intentions to implement a new state-of-the-art IT system and over the course of the last 12 months we've
been working closely with Forward Computers, Nottingham to bring together a system that compliments both Forwarding & Packing.

The benefits of the new system will aid our goals of becoming a more efficient Operation and optimise our performance with measurable success.

Advance Launch New Client Referral Scheme

During the course of 2014 we have received much support from existing clients through referrals and as a result of this we will
be introducing from Jan 2015 a scheme which serves to reward our clients for such valuable and appreciated recommendations.

Our objective throughout 2015 will be heavily focused on developing European road and International sea and airfreight volumes so
we would like to offer an incentive to all existing clients putting our name forward for consideration on any of the above services.

Advance Return to Midlands International Trade Expo

Advance Forwarding are returning to the Midlands International Trade Expo and Forum (MITEC) on 2nd December 2014.

This year's Midlands International Trade Expo and Conference (MITEC) is the Chamber's premier international event of the year.
It aims to help local firms to boost their turnover and profitability by starting to export or exploiting opportunities in
international high-growth markets.

University of Nottingham Move Student Welcome

The University of Nottingham has, for the last 21 years, provided a welcome program at Heathrow Airport for thousands of International
students coming to Nottingham to study.

The program was designed to take part of the stress away that comes with moving to a new country by providing transport for both
the students and their luggage from Heathrow directly to their accommodation.

Advance Rules The Waves

We are pleased to announce that following the opening of our Airfreight import clearance badge earlier in the year at East Midlands Airport,
we have now opened our own Import clearance Seafreight Badge at Felixstowe.

Felixstowe is the busiest port in the UK and one of the busiest in the world and this will mean that we can clear our customers Seafreight
quicker, more efficiently and more cost effectively.

Advance Join in with Farewell to University Vice Chancellor

Advance were invited to attend the afternoon Farewell Tea Party for the Vice Chancellor of Leicester University.

As well as the main commercial side of the business providing tailored Export and Import services to businesses around the East Midlands and the UK
we also have a large presence in the International Student Luggage market.

UPDATE: Advance Group Join up with Hansons Auctioneers and Bargain Hunt!

The Advance Group is now one of the recommended Packers and Couriers for Hansons Auctioneers. This means we have begun packing and shipping all types of delicate and valuable items around the world to their winning bidders.

Hansons Auctioneers is probably most widely known for its Manager and Founder Charles Hanson who regularly appears on the show Bargain Hunt.

Advance Vehicles On Track

Advance has now installed vehicle tracking systems on the whole company fleet. This means that we are able to more accurately and instantly keep you informed of the timings of your deliveries and collections.

The system will also allow us to operate our fleet much more efficiently and cost effectively.....

Take a look at our Christmas Newsletter... And Win an Ipod Nano!

In the last couple of weeks we have been busy sending out our Christmas Newsletter for 2013. If you haven't received a copy then you can download one below for details on how you could win an Ipod Nano!

In this years newsletter you can read about all the big things that have been happening here at the Advance Group.....

The Advance Group Make National and Local Press

Advance Forwarding recently turning 20 years old and showing record breaking sales has attracted some fantastic attention to the company.

The edition of The Sunday Times realeased on 3rd November included an article titled 'Welcome to Mark Carney’s promised land — the Midlands' and featured none other than Advance Forwarding among other thriving businesses in the area. The Times sent their own photographer earlier that week to take this great picture of some of our team loading one of our crates onto one of our trucks, which was featured in the article

The Advance Group Premises are growing

In the next few weeks the construction trucks are rolling into the Advance Group compound to expand our yard. We are increasingly finding that our yard is not big enough for both of our trucks, our cars and our cases, crates and pallets so we are making it bigger.

There are several areas of unused land in the Advance Group compound so we are going to make use of them to give us some extra space.

We hope the work will be completed by the end of November and are looking forward to the results.

Customer calls on Advance Group for urgent two day job

Our friends at Metool Reeling Products founds themselves in need of some urgent help from Advance Packing a few weeks ago. They needed to get 6 huge cable reels over to Singapore by Sea Freight as soon as possible.

Advance Forwarding did a great job and found their cargo a place on a vessel leaving the UK in a couple of days but this meant the boys on the shop floor had to get them packed up in less than 48 hours and onto a truck bound for the port. The guys pulled out all the stops and worked late into the night, staying until 11pm and returning after a few hours sleep at 6am to get the reels packed and on the truck. It resulted in one very happy customer and a great testament to our staff who are always willing to go the extra mile.

Advance Group Sales up by 32.5% in the last 12 months

Between September 2012 to September 2013 the Advance Group saw a massive 32.5% increase in turnover compared with the same 12 months period the year before.

Both the companies within the Advance Group, Advance Forwarding and Advance Packing, are going from strength to strength. We are bringing on new customers all the time while ensuring we look after our old customers better than we ever have before and this is paying off.

We have taken on some great new members of our team in that time and they have all been an asset to the company.

Advance Group Pack and Ship World Record Breaking Classic Motorcycle, 'Old Bill'

Built in 1922 by the Brough Factory this one of a kind motorcycle, a Brough Superior SS 80 1000cc now widely known as 'Old Bill', was built specifically for George Brough, the owner of the company, to use as his personal racing machine.

The bike was origionally called 'Spit and Polish' because of its constant immaculate appearance. George Brough took the bike to its first race at Brooklands the year it was made and won the race with an average speed of over 100Mph (in 1922!) which was the first side valve machine to ever do this. The second race that year was not as much of a success story with George Brough being involved in a very nasty accident and both bike and rider were badly damaged.